Mr Tagicakibau said the committee would include reps from each landowning unit and government officials and would be headed by the director Mineral Resources Department.

He said the monitoring committee would also co-ordinate with company officials.

Mr Tagicakibau said there had been so much highlighted about bauxite mining in the media.

Council chairman Alipate Radrodro asked that the committee issue a press release to media after every bi-monthly meeting. Mr Radrodro said such press release published in the media would also help ease concerns and worries of villagers and surrounding communities of Nawailevu.

He added that following frequent publications in the media about bauxite mining, it was only proper for the committee to issue a press release.

The bauxite mining issue drew a lot of interest and questions from members of the council at the meeting.

Western member Marica Reeves questioned XINFA rep Isireli Dagaga why tarpaulins were used to prevent bauxite from falling into the qoliqoli and not other stronger and better equipment.

She said bauxite falling into the qoliqoli would affect sea food and other marine life that villagers depended on.

Mr Dagaga said from this week, the company would use steel plates to hold bauxite preventing it from falling into the sea.